“Many students facing into the Leaving Certificate exam next June are asking that they be given the option of accredited grades just like the last two exam classes,” says Denis Naughten TD.
Denis Naughten raised the issue on the floor of the Dáil with An Taoiseach last November after receiving a request to do so from a Roscommon Leaving Cert. student, who felt the class of 2022 have been completely forgotten by the Department of Education as it’s not recognising the true impact of Covid 19 on those who will sit the leaving cert in June 2022.
“Even though I raised this specific issue in the Dáil last May and received reassurances from the Minister for Education, students are very anxious about the forthcoming exams”.
“This has now been compounded by the impact that the Omicron variant is having on exam students who will have to isolate as a result of the present surge of infection”
I also raised these concerns directly with the Minister for Education who stated that “the State Examinations Commission will issue further details regarding the 2022 examinations, guided by prevailing public health advice. There will be further engagement with stakeholders, through the Advisory Group on Planning for the State Examinations, and with other stakeholders as appropriate, in advance of any detailed announcement”
“It is imperative that there is now a swift decision on the use of accredited grades for this year’s Leaving Certificate exams as students have enough to contend with, without having to worry about the format of the exam itself” concluded Denis Naughten.
Interaction with An Taoiseach: https://denisnaughten.ie/2021/11/10/leaving-cert-students-should-have-accredited-grade-option/
Reply from Minister for Education:
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For Oral Answer on : 23/11/2021
Question Number(s): 87 Question Reference(s): 57212/21
Department: Education
Asked by: Denis Naughten T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education if she will allow for the option of accredited grades for the leaving certificate 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
On 30 June 2021, I announced that adjustments would be made to the 2022 Leaving Certificate and Junior Cycle examinations. As with previous years, adjustments were developed in conjunction with the Leaving Certificate Exams Advisory Group. This Group includes representation from students, parents, teachers and schools.
Details of these adjustments were issued to schools on 19 August 2021 to ensure that students and staff could familiarise themselves with any changes. These arrangements acknowledge the disruption faced by these students because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I consider that these arrangements are proportionate to the students’ experience and loss of learning, and are educationally appropriate. The adjustments ensure that the overall structure of exams remains intact but allows for greater choice for students. The level of adjustment will be similar to that applied by the Assessment Arrangements For Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate Examinations 2021, as announced in December 2020.
As part of the adjustments for the 2022 examinations, I also announced that an alternative set of Leaving Certificate examinations would be run in 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the main set of examinations. These examinations will be limited to certain students who are unable to sit the main set of examinations due to close family bereavement and certain other categories of serious illness to be determined, with due regard for the principles of equity, fairness and integrity, which govern all aspects of the examinations system.
The State Examinations Commission will issue further details regarding the 2022 examinations, guided by prevailing public health advice. There will be further engagement with stakeholders, through the Advisory Group on Planning for the State Examinations, and with other stakeholders as appropriate, in advance of any detailed announcement
Reply from State Examination Commission: State Exam Commission Reply
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For Written Answer on : 18/11/2021
Question Number(s): 247 Question Reference(s): 56584/21
Department: Education
Asked by: Denis Naughten T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Education if the option of accredited grades will be offered to those due to sit the leaving certificate in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
REPLY
The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.